Full Name: Portia Modise
Date of Birth: June 20, 1983
Place of Birth: Soweto, South Africa
Nickname: Bashin
Profession: Retired Footballer, Football Administrator
Notable Contributions: First African player to score 100 international goals, Player of the Championship at the 2006 Women’s African Football Championship, Represented South Africa at the 2012 London Olympics
Early Life
Portia Modise was born on June 20, 1983, in Soweto, South Africa. She grew up playing football with boys in her neighborhood and chose football over netball at school. She started playing for the Soweto Rangers at the under-10 level.
She had a difficult childhood, growing up in a shack alone after her mom moved out. She never met her father until she was 27. She says that her father died 3 days after meeting him.
Some of the boys she played with in Soweto included others who went to become professional footballers as well. They include Gift Leremi, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Naughty Mokwena. Later, she played against Steven Pienaar at the school of excellence.
Club Career
Around 1999, she discovered that there were other girls that were playing soccer too. She stopped playing with the boys and joined the girls.
Soweto Ladies
Modise played for Soweto Ladies, where she scored 51 goals in the 2001-2002 season and added two more in the National Championship final against Cape Town Pirates.
Fortuna Hjørring (Denmark)
In 2007, she signed a two-year deal with Fortuna Hjørring in Denmark’s Elitedivisionen.
She had a successful stint in Denmark where she scored 18 goals, but she was subjected to racism by the club and the coach. Eventually, she decided to leave.
Palace Super Falcons
She returned to South Africa in 2009 to play for Palace Super Falcons.
Croesus Ladies
Modise played for Croesus Ladies in 2014.
International Career
Banyana Banyana
Modise debuted for the South African Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) in 2000 at the age of 16. She earned 124 caps and scored 101 goals, making her the first African player—male or female—to score 100 international goals.
African Women’s Championship
She was named Player of the Championship at the 2006 Women’s African Football Championship.
2012 London Olympics
Modise represented South Africa at the 2012 London Olympics, helping bring international visibility to women’s football in the country.
Playing for Banyana was not easy either, as the players were often not paid and Portia and some of her team mates were subjected to homophobic treatment by the coach and some of the SAFA officials.
Awards:
2014 – Sports Star of the Year
With the money that she got from this award, she built herself a house.
Personal Life
Details about Modise’s personal life, including her family and relationships, are not widely available. She is known for her outspoken nature and her advocacy for women’s football and LGBTQ+ rights.
Legacy
Portia Modise’s contributions to women’s football in Africa have been monumental. Her record-breaking achievements and fearless advocacy have inspired generations of young players. She retired from international football in 2015 and has since transitioned into football administration and ongoing advocacy work.
Summary Profile
Name: Portia Modise
Born: June 20, 1983 – Soweto, South Africa
Profession: Former Footballer, Football Administrator
Clubs:
– Soweto Ladies
– Fortuna Hjørring (Denmark)
– Palace Super Falcons
– Croesus Ladies
National Team: South Africa (Banyana Banyana)
Caps: 124
Goals: 101
Achievements:
– First African to score 100 international goals
– 2006 Women’s African Championship – Player of the Tournament
– Represented SA at the 2012 London Olympics
